Nigeria’s beans farmers have begun a fresh move to replace harmful chemical preservatives with organic methods in a renewed push to lift the European Union’s decade-long ban on Nigerian beans exports.

The ban, introduced in 2015, followed the EU’s discovery of dangerously high levels of pesticide residues in beans shipped from Nigeria. 

The restriction has contributed to an annual loss of $362.5 million, with over 76 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural exports reportedly rejected on food-safety grounds.

Speaking to Vanguard, the National Secretary of the Cowpea and Beans Farmers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (C&BFPMAN), Sunday Ojonugwa, said the impact of the ban continues to weigh heavily on farmers and exporters. 

He traced the root cause to ignorance, particularly the widespread use of snipers and other hazardous chemicals to preserve beans.

Ojonugwa explained that, after EU inspectors detected these impurities, the association began a large-scale effort to retrain farmers. 

So far, more than 29,000 cowpea and beans farmers have received training on safer cultivation and organic preservation practices, reversing the EU ban and improving consumer confidence.

“Cowpea and beans production currently stands at around 12 million metric tonnes annually,” Ojonugwa said. 

“It is a major staple food in the country, and Nigeria used to be one of the world’s top exporters.”

He noted that Nigeria’s strong production capacity means the sector could return to global competitiveness if farmers transition fully to safer methods.

Ojonugwa acknowledged that some members of the association contributed to the contamination problem, largely due to a lack of awareness.

“Many farmers used chemicals such as sniper to store cowpea and beans,” he said. 

“These substances are hazardous, yet some farmers preferred them out of fear of losing their harvest.”

He added that affordable, simple organic preservation techniques are available and could help Nigeria rebuild its reputation in international markets.

“These organic methods keep beans edible and hazard-free. If widely adopted, they can protect consumer health and support our efforts to lift the export ban.”

Source:  Vanguard News
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